The rain poured relentlessly against the dark glass windows of the grand city medical center.
Marcus paced through the hallway with quick and heavy steps.
His black wool coat was soaked through from the sudden storm outside.
He had received a frantic anonymous phone call just twenty minutes earlier.
The unknown voice told him that his seven-year-old son Toby was in immediate danger.
Marcus felt his pulse racing in his ears as he turned the corner.
He had spent months fighting corporate rivals who wanted to steal his late father's estate.
Now it seemed those same enemies were targeting his innocent child.
Toby had been admitted three days ago following a sudden and mysterious high fever.
Marcus reached the door marked as intensive room four and grabbed the metal handle.
He shoved the heavy wooden door open with all his force.
Inside the dimly lit room sat a young nurse in blue medical scrubs.
She stood right next to Toby's bed holding a thick wooden bed slat in her hands.
Marcus pointed a harsh finger directly at her face.
Marcus: Step away from the bed right now!
Elena: Do not take another step toward this child!
Marcus took a firm step forward into the quiet sterile room.
He raised his voice to a booming command.
Marcus: I am his father and you are standing in my way!
Elena: I do not care who you claim to be sir!
Marcus stopped dead in his tracks when he looked closer at her face.
A dark purple bruise was swelling rapidly near her left eye.
A small red cut was visible near her hair line as well.
Her breathing was heavy and her hands were trembling against the wooden pole.
Yet her footing remained completely solid on the polished tile floor.
Marcus felt a sudden chill run down his back.
He realized this was not the look of a corrupt medical accomplice.
Marcus: What happened to your face?
Elena: Your enemies sent two men up here five minutes ago.
Marcus felt his chest tighten with instant terror.
Marcus: What did those men try to do to Toby?
Elena: They tried to disconnect his oxygen supply line!
Marcus stared at the nurse in absolute silence.
The harsh anger in his eyes vanished into pure horror.
He looked over at his sleeping son whose chest rose and fell smoothly.
The green heart monitor continued to beep steadily in the quiet background.
Marcus: They tried to shut down his air supply?
Elena: Yes but I blocked the door before they could finish!
Marcus took a deep breath as his knees suddenly felt weak.
He realized that the anonymous phone call was a deliberate distraction.
The call was meant to keep him stuck in traffic while they acted.
Marcus: Where did those two men go?
Elena: I hit the emergency alarm and forced them to run!
Marcus slowly lowered his raised arms down to his sides.
He looked at the brave nurse with completely new eyes.